Commission approves Roswell Ford fleet service building variance at 900–908 N. Virginia

The Roswell Planning and Zoning Commission on July 1 approved a variance allowing construction of a proposed Roswell Ford fleet service building at 900–908 North Virginia Avenue to be placed at zero feet from the East (street-side) property line and at the front property line along East Ninth Street. The commission voted to approve the variance by voice vote; commissioners recorded the motion as approved with all in favor.

Meredith Hildreth, planning staff, described the request (case VR25-0059) as an application for setbacks relief in an I-1 Light Industrial zoning district within the revised railroad MRA (Metropolitan Redevelopment Area). Hildreth said the conceptual site plan shows a proposed 10,240 square-foot building with 14 truck service bays, a building length of about 256 feet, a 15-foot rear-yard setback and zero street-side and front setbacks on the east and south sides. Hildreth also noted the site lies in FEMA flood zone AH (1 percent annual-chance flood hazard) and that the city had received no written or verbal protests on the case.

Scott Hicks of Smith Engineering told commissioners the applicant needs the building positioned far to the east on the parcel to allow internal circulation, staging, and parking for larger truck chassis and to meet corporate service-base criteria. "We set it at the same 0 front yard setback that was established by the car wash many years ago," Hicks said, adding that surrounding buildings on adjacent lots had historically been built to property lines and that the proposed design includes a notch at the corner to maintain required sight visibility.

An owner representative and a construction representative addressed the commission and said that without the variance the parcel’s east-side area would remain unused and that the proposed building represents a significant private investment in a flood-impacted part of the industrial corridor. The applicant confirmed the design does not encroach into the required 15-foot rear-yard setback and that sidewalks in the public right-of-way would remain intact.

Commission discussion included confirmation that the engineering office raised no sight-line or traffic objections and that the site plan incorporates a corner notch to preserve intersection visibility. Commissioner Henderson moved to approve VR25-0059 and Commissioner Holman seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote with all commissioners present voting in favor.

Planning staff noted the commission’s approval is final for this zoning variance unless appealed to a higher authority; this zoning action does not require further City Council approval unless appealed. The applicant and staff will proceed with building-permit submittals and flood-insurance requirements as required for development within the AH flood zone.